Soldier on the way home from Iraq removed from a train?

Question

A soldier on his way home from a tour in Iraq - IN Uniform was removed from a train because he couldn't produce his ID card,

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/2551525/Soldier-returning-from-Iraq-in-combat-gear-thrown-off-train.html

would you complain??

http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/YourJourney/Complaints.aspx

Answer 1

Neil T has it spot on.

Always thought the railcards were pointless, since anyone in the forces can get one, why not just accept your ID card?

Answer 2

well he didn't have his id card, his fault

Answer 3

I don't take the train from Iraq to the US, it gets too wet half way over the ocean.  BTW, it is a jailable offense to wear military garb and a unit identifier and not have a military ID to produce.  

Maybe if I wore a crown and robe, I could go through the Buckinham Palace Guard gate without producing ID that says Im a royal?

Answer 4

any jerk wad can dress up as a soldier, are you saying we should let any fool who lives close to an army navy thrift store go where ever they want?

Answer 5

d**n right, only after stabbing the t**t inspector with my bayonet though. Our boys are going through enough without coming home and having to put up with imbecile inspectors. If its blatantly obvious that a member of the armed forces is in the armed forces they should be allowed free 1st class travel with no hindrance. A policeman friend simply flashes his warrant card and uses transport for free, the fact your in combats carrying a rucksack the size of your mother would point to the fact you are a military person should be enough for priviledges. An apology and compensation would fall far short for this man. Makes my skin crawl.

Answer 6

I was in military, and i ALWAYS had my ID on me.  His fault, sorry.  

Answer 7

Disgraceful.

Answer 8

It is absolutely required to carry proper ID at all times.Too bad for him.

His Command failed him, not the rail way. His Command failed to ensure that he had the proper credentials.

I read the article. The citizens on the train showed great pride in the young man; as they should!

The conductor was being a jerk. I hope he gets severely reprimanded for his conduct towards a Serviceman.

Answer 9

I'll personally never feel a lump in my throat for someone who's been to war, but that tconductor's gotta be the biggest idiot i've ever herd of!!

Answer 10

Rules are same for everybody. He should have had his id card with him.

Answer 11

It is an insult to him & our army..

I don't see any fare evaders in full battle dress, the conductor was an absolute idiot & should be named & shamed.

The other passengers were right to be on the soldiers side & the soldier was right to defuse the situation by agreeing to get off the train - just showing the profesionalisim in the British army.

Answer 12

Complain?  No.  Why?  The one thing every military person should ALWAYS have is ID.  Dogtags and his service ID card should be on their person.

BTW, just reading between the lines, it sounds like the soldier kinda went off on the railroad official.

Whatever.....I don't care where his "belongings" were, his ID "belonged" with him.

Answer 13

If he didn't have his ID card, he wasn't in uniform! Dog-tags and your ID card are part of it too!

Answer 14

So Proud to be a second class citizen in your own country...

Did anyone tell our Muslim masters they represent 5% of the worlds population 5% you could wipe that out with a pencil eraser.

Why do the UK Forces have manpower Issues?

Because you c**p on your service personnel in every way shape and form.

In the US Soldiers get bought Beers.

In the UK Soldiers get free Spit and abuse from Ragheads.

Were is the incentive for our children to join the Armed Forces..

Answer 15

As usual the press got it wrong (as did a great many posters).  The reason that he was asked to pay the extra was due to the fact that he did not have his Forces Rail Discount Card to support the ticket he had purchased NOT his ID Card.  Things became a little heated and the ticket collector felt threatened (passengers took the side of the soldier) and as a result he was asked to get off the train, which he did.

Answer 16

As for taking him off the train unfortunately it was the correct thing for the rail company to do. The ID is something that we should have on our person at all times whilst in uniform. Rail tickets aren't discounted as such but travel warrents are issued and presented to the MOD by the rail company to be repaid. In order for us to use them we also have to show our ID - no ID then no rail ticket.

As for the remark made by the inspector though I find it completely disgusting! He should lose his job or at least get a severe reprimand & fine for saying things like that. It was rude, uncalled for & downright insulting to all of our armed forces currently on operations all across the world. I would definitely complain & demand compensation from the rail company if one of their employees said that to me!

Answer 17

Rules are rules.  ID is a must - what if the person was a terrorist just wearing a uniform?  Sounds petty but for the safety of everyone else, rules are rules...

Answer 18

He should have had his ID on him.  Anyone can go buy ACUs, not everyone can get a military ID card.  It is his own fault and i don't really understand why he was on a train coming home from iraq anyway...